(WOLFVILLE, N.S.) - The UNB Varsity Reds are AUS men's soccer champions for the third consecutive year after topping the top-seeded Cape Breton Capers 2-1 in the final game of the Subway AUS Men's Soccer Championship.
With a stiff wind blowing against the UNB V-Reds in the first half, the Capers were at an advantage and had only a handful of opportunities to score as UNB defended well and controlled the ball despite struggling with the gusts.
After a scoreless first half, the Varsity Reds went to work recording most of their seven shots on goal in the second half.
Championship MVP Oliver Jones (London, England), scored the first goal on a beautiful crossing pass from Marcus Lees (Barrie, Ont.) to give UNB a 1-0 lead just under four minutes into the second half.
"When Marcus goes down on the wing, I am always looking to get in the box and, nine times out of 10, I know a cross is coming," said Jones. "I saw the ball late but made sure I was following in and it was a nice easy goal."
Just over three minutes later, third-year defender Kalen Park (Calgary, Alta.) netted the Varsity Reds' second goal on a corner kick that curved into the far corner untouched by keeper Scott Shewfelt (London, Ont.).
The Capers were fast to respond to UNB's 2-0 lead when 2015 AUS MVP Justin Maheu (Ottawa, Ont.) energized Cape Breton with an unassisted goal just over a minute after Park's corner kick score.
As the relentless wind slowed the Capers' progress, UNB locked down their defensive unit and denied Cape Breton of any significant scoring opportunities.
"Playing into the wind, it's always difficult, so the main thing was to keep the ball on the floor and be composed (in the first half) and it was tough because Cape Breton was putting a lot of pressure on us," said fourth-year striker Jone. "But the halftime talk was to go out and win the second half and take a championship home to Fredericton."
Both finalists of the Subway AUS Men's Soccer Championship will now prepare for the CIS championship being hosted by York University in Toronto, Ont. Nov. 12-15 as the conference receives two berths in this year's national championship.
Source: Acadia Sports Communications